HR & Payroll Manager

We are looking for an experienced HR & Payroll Manager to lead human resources, benefits, and payroll activities for manufacturing operations in Owosso, Michigan. This position combines strategic partnership with day-to-day execution, supporting employees and leaders while maintaining reliable processes and regulatory compliance. The ideal candidate brings a strong background in multi-state payroll, employee relations, recruiting, and benefits administration within a fast-paced industrial setting.

Responsibilities:
• Lead day-to-day human resources support for plant operations and collaborate with site leadership on staffing, employee support, and workforce planning needs.
• Manage multi-state payroll processing with a strong focus on accuracy, timeliness, and compliance across wages, overtime, incentive pay, taxes, deductions, garnishments, and direct deposit activity.
• Review and maintain timekeeping and payroll records, ensuring employee data is updated for new hires, departures, internal moves, compensation changes, and promotions.
• Prepare and analyze workforce reports covering areas such as headcount, turnover, attendance, labor expenses, training activity, benefits usage, and safety-related metrics.
• Guide managers through employee relations matters, including coaching, performance discussions, disciplinary actions, and documentation of workplace concerns.
• Oversee full-cycle recruiting for manufacturing, skilled trades, engineering, administrative, and leadership roles, including onboarding coordination and employment eligibility compliance.
• Administer benefit programs such as health coverage, retirement plans, disability, and life insurance, while responding to employee questions and supporting open enrollment activities.
• Support compliance efforts by maintaining required records, assisting with audits, and helping ensure adherence to employment, leave, payroll, benefits, and retention regulations.
• Coordinate performance review cycles, development planning, training documentation, certifications, and succession planning activities across the operation.
• Assist with workers’ compensation cases, return-to-work efforts, incident follow-up, and broader safety initiatives in office and production environments.• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Accounting, or a related discipline is preferred.
• At least 3 years of progressive experience spanning both human resources and payroll administration, preferably in a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated success processing payroll for large employee populations, including multi-state payroll responsibilities.
• Experience with payroll and HR systems such as Acumatica or ADP Workforce Now, along with strong Microsoft Office proficiency.
• Working knowledge of employment law, wage and hour requirements, benefits administration, and payroll compliance practices.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion while managing multiple deadlines and operational priorities.
• Strong communication, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills with the ability to partner effectively with leaders and employees at all levels.
• Bilingual English and Spanish skills and HR or payroll certification with strong attention to detail are considered an advantage.